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Official "I need a new PC!!" 2009 Edition
- Thread starter VictimOfGrief
- Start date
MWS Natural
Member
Instead of setting up a server I decided to just get an external esata enclosure but my case doesn't have any esata ports. Should I buy a card or just use USB.? Will I notice a big difference between USB and esata when using Green (5400) Harddrives?
BravoSuperStar
Member
MWS Natural said:
Absolutely you will notice a huge difference with E-SATA over USB. Most new motherboards come with a e-SATA back panel connector, in case you recently purchased one. You could also just take the drive out of the case and plug it in internally, if that's an option...
MWS Natural
Member
SuperEnemyCrab said:
Hmmm now that you mention it there is a piece I can unscrew that leaves and opening at the back of my case. I guess I can just run the SATA cable from the inclosure to inside? I have a SFF case so there is not much space to put more drives in internally.
masterkajo
Member
After trying for some time now to fix graphical errors during gameplay (have a Sapphire X1900XT) I decided to give up and buy a new graphic card. But since I got the PC from my brother I am fairly new to this and don't really know what I should be looking at.
I got some suggestions from friends:
ATI 3850 [91]
ATI 4850 [97]
ATI 4670 [67]
ATI 3870 [110]
Nvidia 9800GT [90-110]
For me these are just names without any meaning. I put the prices from a local retailer behind the cards to help you decide me to decide which card I should get. Mostly wanna play Dragon Age: Origins and Fallout 3 and Mass Effect /2 in the near future.
Also sometimes there are different versions of grahic cards like with the Nvidia 9800GT there is a version with 512MB and one with 1GB.
My PC specs are as follows AFAIK:
Asus motherboard P5B
Intel Core 2 6400 @ 2,13 GHz
2GB RAM
Windows XP SP3
Please HELP!, elite GAF agents! THANKS!!
I got some suggestions from friends:
ATI 3850 [91]
ATI 4850 [97]
ATI 4670 [67]
ATI 3870 [110]
Nvidia 9800GT [90-110]
For me these are just names without any meaning. I put the prices from a local retailer behind the cards to help you decide me to decide which card I should get. Mostly wanna play Dragon Age: Origins and Fallout 3 and Mass Effect /2 in the near future.
Also sometimes there are different versions of grahic cards like with the Nvidia 9800GT there is a version with 512MB and one with 1GB.
My PC specs are as follows AFAIK:
Asus motherboard P5B
Intel Core 2 6400 @ 2,13 GHz
2GB RAM
Windows XP SP3
Please HELP!, elite GAF agents! THANKS!!
brain_stew
Member
masterkajo said:
Get a 4770, you shouldn't be paying more than 100 Euros, otherwise go with the 4850.
I'd recommend grabbing another couple of gigs of RAM and OCing that processor to 3ghz, should make all the difference.
masterkajo
Member
Thanks for the quick reply! But like with so many other graphic cards, when I ask my local retailers website I get 3 different results for the 4770:
http://www.i-cs.at/eshop.php?action...plier_aid=1241438&position=1&anzahl_treffer=5
http://www.i-cs.at/eshop.php?action...plier_aid=1388902&position=3&anzahl_treffer=5
http://www.i-cs.at/eshop.php?action...plier_aid=1370334&position=4&anzahl_treffer=5
Which one should I take?
Regarding the RAM update. My motherboard has 4 RAM slots and they are all used by 4x512MB. Should I just upgrade all to 1GB or do 2x512 + 2x1GB? Short, do I have to pay attention to anything special?
Also OClocking... I guess I have to use some program to do that. But how save is this? Can I damage my CPU or will it just not work properly if I do it wrong?
EDIT: No word on the 5770 or 5750 on the website. But I will ask in the store. Are these the newest? (I am kind of confused by the numbering).
http://www.i-cs.at/eshop.php?action...plier_aid=1241438&position=1&anzahl_treffer=5
http://www.i-cs.at/eshop.php?action...plier_aid=1388902&position=3&anzahl_treffer=5
http://www.i-cs.at/eshop.php?action...plier_aid=1370334&position=4&anzahl_treffer=5
Which one should I take?
Regarding the RAM update. My motherboard has 4 RAM slots and they are all used by 4x512MB. Should I just upgrade all to 1GB or do 2x512 + 2x1GB? Short, do I have to pay attention to anything special?
Also OClocking... I guess I have to use some program to do that. But how save is this? Can I damage my CPU or will it just not work properly if I do it wrong?
EDIT: No word on the 5770 or 5750 on the website. But I will ask in the store. Are these the newest? (I am kind of confused by the numbering).
brain_stew
Member
masterkajo said:
The cheapest should be fine, if you're happy to wait a 5750 will be a better buy and should be in the same pricerange.
I'd just get a nice branded 2x2GB kit.
You OC in the BIOS, its perfectly safe, just do your research beforehand.
DietRob
i've been begging for over 5 years.
masterkajo said:
There is a good guide on Tom's Hardware if you want to learn about overclocking.
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/240001-29-howto-overclock-quads-duals-guide
This thread was priceless to me on my first attempt at OCing my processor. It is quite a read though.
As for the cards you linked they all look to be the same hardware. There are many different graphic card manufactures the important thing to look at is the version of the card (4770). Sort of like the different computer mfg's you know like (dell, sony, gateway, ect)
masterkajo
Member
Thanks guys!!
I don't see why you don't pick something like this up. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16812226006MWS Natural said:
I know it's a little pricey but if you work with your budget you might be able to squeeze it in.
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
I need help, I put in my new cooler and it kept doing a constant beep when I was turning it on. I kept unplugging things thinking something was loose and then it squealed and turned itself off. Anyone know what's going on? Could it have to do with the cpu?
MWS Natural
Member
zbarron said:
Yeah I seen those already but I was wondering could I just pop off the small cover on my case and plug the cable onto my onboard internal SATA port.
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
scorcho said:
I'm not sure? I plugged it into the 3 pin connector like back fan runs on. Do I have to use the one on the mobo? The one on the heatsink is a 3 pin connector where as the mobo has a 4 pin connector.
BravoSuperStar
Member
Zaraki_Kenpachi said:
Sometimes the beeping is cause the fan monitoring is turned on/off in the bios, check that maybe?
MWS Natural said:
Ya it should work, just look kinda ghetto =)
MWS Natural
Member
SuperEnemyCrab said:
Meh fuckit I'm just going to go over my budget and get a damn HP media server. So much for saving for a new car :lol
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
It's not even giving me a picture now so I can get into my bios. :/
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
Terrifyer said:
No, but it was giving me a picture before and now it isn't. I would think something else is wrong too at the least.
EDIT: It still won't give video and still continuos beeping after correctly plugging into cpu header. Fuck me, what's going on.
So I guess I shouldn't be too happy about this, but recently (this past week) there was a death in my family and my mother was left with a pretty hefty sum of cash. She's willing to lend me some to cover some college costs and get a new PC. It won't get here for a while, probably not for another month or so, but I'm hoping I'll be able to upgrade to a considerably strong laptop by Christmas. Right now I'm stuck between two Asus notebooks: the W90vp and the G71Gx. Any recommendations? I'm looking for a machine I'll be able to use for at least four years, so modularity is a big plus. Open to any suggestions. A desktop isn't out of the equation, but a laptop would be far more convenient, considering I live off campus and they're easy to carry around.
I feel really weird talking about this like it's no big deal, like it's a plus that I lost this relative, but I'm not sure how I should feel. She was never nice to me and we weren't expecting anything from her, but I'm so appreciative that she left us what she did. Anyway, I don't want to seem like an asshole here, like I'm taking advantage, this is just the first time in a long time I feel I have any significant budget to work with.
Also wondering about the practicality of getting a quad core processor. I have an X9000 right now, not sure how well served I'd be going from a 2.8 GHz core 2 duo to the 2.0 GHz quad that's standard in the W90vp.
I feel really weird talking about this like it's no big deal, like it's a plus that I lost this relative, but I'm not sure how I should feel. She was never nice to me and we weren't expecting anything from her, but I'm so appreciative that she left us what she did. Anyway, I don't want to seem like an asshole here, like I'm taking advantage, this is just the first time in a long time I feel I have any significant budget to work with.
Also wondering about the practicality of getting a quad core processor. I have an X9000 right now, not sure how well served I'd be going from a 2.8 GHz core 2 duo to the 2.0 GHz quad that's standard in the W90vp.
brain_stew
Member
Crunched said:
The machines you're considering aren't though. A laptop just isn't a good bet to last 4 years, obviously they're much less upgradable but they're inherently less durable as well.
Not considered going for a netbook + desktop? Even with a nice 23" 1080p monitor thrown in it should still be cheaper than either of hose laptops and yet do both jobs much better.
You can build a $500 desktop with better components than those laptops, and it'll be much easier and cheaper to upgrade, worth considering imo.
brain_stew
Member
Plywood said:
Worth the $30 over budget imo:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824009163
HDMI, DVI and VGA, full 1080p resolution, excellent customer reviews and a really decent size @ 23".
The weight doesn't bother me at all, my current notebook is about 10 lbs. and has never been a problem. I'm open to getting a desktop because I'm fine with keeping my current laptop. Pretty much the only two issues with getting a desktop would be lack of mobility and lack of space-- my apartment is pretty small. Those are things I can work around, though.brain_stew said:
That one does sound good, but I really can't go over my budget, I was thinking this one, especially after the mailin rebate.brain_stew said:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16824236050
brain_stew
Member
Crunched said:
You'll end up with crippled back by your 30s if you keep on carrying a 10lb laptop with you everywhere!!
What do you use to display your consoles? No reason your monitor can't double as your TV as well these days, if you do that, you're not really taking up any extra space at all, you already have a desk presumably?
brain_stew
Member
Plywood said:
Well you asked for a 16:9 monitor, that's 16:10.
What's this to be used for, just a PC? If so, by all means go with a 1680x1050 monitor, its what I would have suggested, if you're planning on hooking anything else up to it, then you really should be going with a 1080p solution.
NCIX is awesome. I order something from them at least once a month....yes I have a problem.
Make sure you remember to price match when you do order from them. Check around using sites like shopbot.ca, newegg.ca and redflagdeals to find the cheapest prices and then just get ncix to match.
Lots of times I find a deal on a shady site that I am not too confident in so I just get it price matched at ncix and I haven't had any problems to date.
Make sure you remember to price match when you do order from them. Check around using sites like shopbot.ca, newegg.ca and redflagdeals to find the cheapest prices and then just get ncix to match.
Lots of times I find a deal on a shady site that I am not too confident in so I just get it price matched at ncix and I haven't had any problems to date.
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
Ok, I got video back but still getting short continuos beeps. Any idea what causes this?
brain_stew
Member
Zaraki_Kenpachi said:
Listen to the beePs, your mobo manual should tell you hat they mean.
I have a 46" Samsung for my consoles, the desk I use for my computer is shared with my girlfriend and really doesn't have much room to spare. It's covered with her shit. I'd like to get a new one but there is absolutely no room for that :lolbrain_stew said:
What I'm thinking is that I could just hook a PC up to my TV for gaming/media and use my laptop for writing and editing.
Also just double checked weight of my current notebook; it's 7 lbs, not 10. Either way, it's much lighter than a bag full of textbooks :lol
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
brain_stew said:
There's nothing in the manual about beeps.
http://www.bioscentral.com/beepcodes/awardbeep.htm
According to that site it means memory problems but I've kept switching and nothing.
Zaraki_Kenpachi said:
If the video came back on its own just over time it sounds like the CPU is overheating preventing your PC from starting. Are you sure the HSF is seated properly and the fan is working and everything? If you did something to allow your PC to post then what was it?
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
Terrifyer said:
All I did was take everything out and put it back in and I got video back. It reads 16C in the bios with regards to the cpu temp. I did a shittier job on my cpu heatsink last time and this didn't happen. :/
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
I fixed it, fuck do I hate myself. I forgot about the temp thing in the case and I just had to hit clear on that and it stopped. -_- Mock me gaf, mock me. 
Zaraki_Kenpachi
Member
WTF, won't post again.
My stuff should be here tomorrow and I'm nervous cause I've never done this before. I bought the components but is there anything else I need for the build that won't come with the motherboard or case? Hdd cable? I have some old sata cables but im unsure if the newer sata standards use different cables. Wire plastic zip tie thingies? Any cable management tips?
I looked at a bunch of videos of installing the CPU and it looks super easy. I was worried about it cause that's the only thing I haven't done before. Hopefully the i5 isn't much different than other CPUs.
Last time I installed a DVD drive I think I got the slave master settings fucked up when there was 2 drives on the machine. Didn't cause anything bad to happen, just the drive I wanted to be a slave was the master, which was an arbitrary decision anyway. Hopefully I can't mess this machine up since there's only 1 drive!
I looked at a bunch of videos of installing the CPU and it looks super easy. I was worried about it cause that's the only thing I haven't done before. Hopefully the i5 isn't much different than other CPUs.
Last time I installed a DVD drive I think I got the slave master settings fucked up when there was 2 drives on the machine. Didn't cause anything bad to happen, just the drive I wanted to be a slave was the master, which was an arbitrary decision anyway. Hopefully I can't mess this machine up since there's only 1 drive!
Minsc said:
Well, hmm, the Clarksfield are interesting. They have those "low" clock speeds, but in benchmarks they obliterate the current mobile CPUs.
Plus they have Turbo Mode, which is detailed here:
My current verdict is that I must have one. There's speculated to be a faster refresh coming in Q1 of next year, but I'm not 100% on that.
Regardless, here's my next mobile setup:
Clevo W860CU barebones w/ 1080p + wireless
i7-820QM
2x2GB DDR3 1333MHz RAM
320GB Seagate Momentus 7200.4
I can't wait.
Is 38C a good idle CPU temp? I left the PC run in the BIOS last night for about an hour and it never seemed to go above that. I cant test it after gaming or in the OS yet since I dont have one but Im just making sure everything is in check beforehand.
Any other tests I can run from the BIOS to see if theres any problems?
I got a mobo speaker since my case didnt have one. Once that comes in, Ill be able to hear the post codes on startup.
Any other tests I can run from the BIOS to see if theres any problems?
I got a mobo speaker since my case didnt have one. Once that comes in, Ill be able to hear the post codes on startup.
Hawkian said:
Intel Core i5 750 2.66GHz Quad-Core LGA1156
Not OCed at all.
Theres a fan bracket on the side of my case for another 120mm fan that would blow some air right on the CPU. Would that help any? I can also bump up the other 4 case fans to a medium setting but it starts to get a little loud then.
What about a different heatsink or thermal paste? Im using the one that came with it.
If I can, Id like to drop that temp some.
SapientWolf
Trucker Sexologist
If you want to drop your idle temp just change the settings in the OS power management control panel ("cool and quiet" or whatever it is called now). But the full burn temps are what really matter.Salaadin said:
So I should just wait it out and see how it is when its actually doing something other than idling?
Ive been looking at some 1156 compatible heatsinks and keep hearing good things about this one Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus. Any experience with this? I also hear its tough to install and, since Im relatively new at this sort of thing, do you think Id have a huge problem?
Or is going with something other than the stock cooler stupid if I dont ever plan on OCing?
Ive been looking at some 1156 compatible heatsinks and keep hearing good things about this one Cooler Master Hyper 212 Plus. Any experience with this? I also hear its tough to install and, since Im relatively new at this sort of thing, do you think Id have a huge problem?
Or is going with something other than the stock cooler stupid if I dont ever plan on OCing?
Lostconfused
Member
Under 70 is probably ok with the core i5. I doubt you can get anything under 60C with stock cooling under full load.Hawkian said:
Ok in the interest of not being a jack ass. When running prime95 with the stock cooler that came with the core i5 the temperature stays around 64C for me.